If you’ve ever bought a bunch of vibrant alstroemerias, you’ll know that they last much longer than most other cut flowers – when looked after properly, they can keep going for an astonishing two weeks. What you may not know, however, is that these gorgeous blooms are easy to grow at home and can provide you with a regular supply of tall, elegant stems and create a delightful backdrop to your rattan garden furniture. Here’s a guide for growing your own alstroemerias.
Cutting varieties
Grown from tubers, hardy alstroemerias originate from Peru and, once established, cope well with our weather here in Britain. Dwarf varieties suit pots and containers, but the taller, border varieties are ideal for cutting, with each plant producing up to four rounds of flower heads each season. Try Dukes Louis for distinctive orange flowers, Tessa for vibrant pinks and Cardinal Purple for drama and impact.
Planting and staking
Plant outside from April in well composted, well-draining soil, spacing tubers 18 inches apart, and make sure each tuber is planted deeply to protect from frost. Once your alstroemerias are fully established, stake each plant to support its upward growth. You can also plant alstroemeria in your greenhouse in large floor-standing pots, and this elongates your flowering season even further.
Harvesting
Never cut an alstroemeria. Harvest blooms with buds that are swollen and ready to flower by grasping the stem about halfway down and tugging gently, pulling out the whole root for that stem. This avoids roots rotting in the ground and encourages the plant to produce new growth.
Cultivating alstroemerias allows you to be your own florist, and you get all the benefits of having beautiful cut flowers indoors and attractive plants outdoors too.
